Italy is postponing the dispatch of the 13th military aid package to Ukraine, even though it is already fully prepared. According to Italian media reports, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is awaiting the results of the US mid-term elections, which are due to take place on 3 November. At the same time, the Italian government insists that it is not withdrawing its continued support for Kyiv. The new arms package remains without an approved delivery schedule, whilst Italy delivered the previous batch of military aid to Ukraine around ten months ago.
Why is Italy holding up military aid to Ukraine?
According to Italian journalists, the dispatch of the new military aid package has been postponed on several occasions. The delivery was originally scheduled for July, but the deadline was subsequently pushed back to September.
The decision was subsequently postponed until the conclusion of the congress of the «League» party, which is part of the ruling coalition. Now, the government’s new political guideline is Meloni the mid-term elections in the United States took place.
At the same time, journalists point out that it is unclear exactly which outcome of the US election might influence Rome’s decision. Nor is there any guarantee that the parcel will be sent immediately after 3 November.
Italy delivered its latest consignment of military aid to Ukraine in December 2025.
Meloni’s government has faced controversy over its support for Kyiv
The delay comes against a backdrop of disagreements within the Italian coalition government.
Deputy Prime Minister and leader of the «League» party» Matteo Salvini He had previously stated his intention to seek an end to economic and military aid to Ukraine. His stance drew criticism from Giorgia Meloni, who continues to support the provision of military aid to Kyiv.
According to reports in the Italian press, the delay is also causing difficulties in implementing the agreements reached by Meloni and the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the President of France Emmanuel Macron.
Italy insists that it is not halting arms supplies
Italian Minister for Foreign Affairs Antonio Tayani On 26 October, he confirmed that the new military aid package The consignment for Ukraine has already been assembled and is ready for dispatch. This statement was made in response to criticism from Salvini regarding continued support for Kyiv.
The Italian government has not officially announced the suspension of military supplies. However, no specific date has yet been given for the handover of the 13th batch, nor have the conditions for its release been specified.
According to initial reports, the previous Italian aid package related, in particular, to ammunition and missiles for the SAMP/T air defence systems. The exact contents of the new package have not been disclosed publicly.
